Giving up social media accounts this Sunday, says PM Modi; Twitter erupts

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he is thinking of giving up his social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube coming Sunday.

In a tweet posted late evening today, PM Modi wrote “This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted”

Read more: Several netizens urge PM not to quit social media, ‘No Sir’ trends on Twitter

This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 2, 2020

The Prime Minister has 53.3 million followers on Twitter, 44.72 million followers on FB and 35.2 million followers on Instagram.

Moments after PM Modi created a flutter by announcing that he might quit all American-run social media accounts Sunday, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at him saying PM should quit hatred not social media accounts.

In a tweet tagging the PM, Gandhi said, “Give up hatred, not social media accounts.”

Give up hatred, not social media accounts. pic.twitter.com/HDymHw2VrB

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 2, 2020

Meanwhile, speculation is already rife on whether India might go the China way by unveiling its own versions of social media platforms.

Twitter in overdrive

The Prime Minister’s Tweet drew a range of reactions on social media.

After his announcement, #NoSir started trending on Twitter with netizens requesting the PM to reconsider his decision

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala was among the first to react to PM Modi’s tweet. 

“Respected Modi ji, Earnestly wish you would give this advise to the concerted army of trolls, who abuse-intimidate-badger-threaten others every second in you name! Sincere Regards, Citizens of India,” tweeted Surjewala.

Respected Modi ji,

Earnestly wish you would give this advise to the concerted army of trolls, who abuse-intimidate-badger-threaten others every second in you name!

Sincere Regards,
Citizens of India. https://t.co/hGtf64Fyf9

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 2, 2020

Minutes after the tweet, the social media went abuzz as to why the Prime Minister was thinking about leaving social media platforms.

Here are some Twitter reactions:

After Modi ji decided to leave social media …. every Bhakt be like 😔😔😔😔 https://t.co/EegbrxHTqX

— Rangoli Chandel (@Rangoli_A) March 2, 2020

pic.twitter.com/WPYpSy5z4W

— अंकित जैन (@indiantweeter) March 2, 2020

All time popular PM Modi dropping social media be like: pic.twitter.com/ra65Z5mAyj

— Akshay Kashyap (@Liberal_Tiger) March 2, 2020

मोदी जी टिकोटक पे आ रहे क्या

— AjiHaan (@AjiHaaan) March 2, 2020

Started using Twitter because of you and you only !!!!
Don’t do this Sir plz ..🙏🙏#NoSir 🙏#Modiji pic.twitter.com/N4wc9TSAay

— Vikash Singh RSS (@VikashSinghRSS1) March 2, 2020

#NoSir@narendramodi ji
If we made any mistake please punish us
But please dont leave social media
🙏🙏🙏🙏
Humble request modi ji😢😢😢
Please🙏
We enjoy every moment of life with you
Our social media accs will be nothing without you😭😭
Please modi Ji😭😭😭

— Umang Jaiswal 🇮🇳 (@uj_umang) March 2, 2020

@narendramodi Sir ..You are our INSPIRATION our ICON…
We always need you with us…#noSir #noSir https://t.co/NaLoRMgKS3

— Madan Chelani (@MadanChelani) March 2, 2020

There is speculation that the reason for thinking of going away from social media might be the alleged misuse of it to spread rumours.

Recently, the national capital witnessed heavy use of social media to propagate rumours which resulted in amplified effects of riots in Delhi. — With agency inputs